Angelina Fibers – melted shimmer for fabric artists

Have you ever heard about a fiber called “angelina”? I hadn’t until I got this little bag to try out. It’s a very cool material that melts into a fabric-like surface when you iron it. Here is a description of the material:

“The properties of these fibres result in an ability to provide luminescent-iridescent highlights, colour-shifts and sparkles. The “Heat Bondable” forms allows coloured fibres to be heat bonded to each other creating a web of fibres, which further change in form and colour when the layers melt together. Penetrating light is reflected and refracted and partially absorbed producing an incredibly luminous effect.”

“To use is simplicity itself ? just lay strands of the heat bondable fibre on a sheet of paper or baking parchment, combining the colours as desired. Sandwich the non-bondable Angelina, and any other fibres, leaves, feathers, threads etc. between the bondable types and cover with another sheet of paper, and iron. The bondable fibres only stick to each other, not to the background or other materials.”

I made the angelina sandwich from fibers, colored fleece (wool), some nylon tulle and sewing threads that glitters. Then I ironed everything together and got this lush kind of brittle fabric that is just beautiful. From a fluffy pile of material into this;

If you are into any kind of fabric craft that has a touch of art experimenting in it I think you’ll love angelina! I absolutely recommend you to go buy some fibers and play with it. I was amazed at the luminosity and shimmer that came out from under the parchment-paper.

Don’t you just love things that will make your art sparkle? And the possibilities… On this not-really-fabric but surface you could sew, embroider, glue, add embellishments and beads.

Spreading some fibers out on tulle;

This is what it looks like after melting;
Mixed yellow with pink and some gold colored threads. This is the edge of one of my favorite experiment pieces!

A bag flash pic but you can see the structure of the “fabric”.

That very small bag went a long way I think. I haven’t decided where to use these, but I have an idea that they will become Art Quilts in some way.

Sweet! It’s funny to me that so many things I passed up at scrapbooking/stamp shoes during my initial “art phase” are now seeming like they might be valuable tools…able to be added to projects here and there. Can’t wait to see what you make with these..make a quilt. Mama loves looking at art quilts.

Thanks for all the great photos! I heard about Angelina fiber when one of my readers told me how she made some Angelina-like fibers with plastic easter grass (I don’t know if they have it outside of the USA). I went back and modified my post to link to this blog entry of yours because of how detailed it is on Angelina fibers! Thanks

I have been wanting to try these for a long time. As you know, I’m working on my journaling this year, but when I get into fabrics and textiles, I’m def. going to do this! Your information makes it seem even more real and do-able!

Hi have heard of this a while ago, we call it ‘angel hair’ in the uk. Have also used it by mixing the colours I want, ironing it and when its cooled stamping an image on it using a permanent ink and then cutting the image out.
Sarah
PS – read your blog all the time! I seem to be cardmaking less and journaling more!

I’ve just started using angelina, however I’ve been using it in card making! Use clear rubber stamps coated in ink, then iron angelina over the top (using baking parchment of course!) and you have a beautiful little piece to stick on a card or make a brooch out of! Possibilities are endless, but try this to get a picture, motif or pattern on your angelina! Really works well, especially with the fusable film aswell!!

So glad my Angelina experimenting could be of use to you as you use it yourself. It’s a cool material. I need to still use mine; I think I’m saving it for that “special project” because it is so darn pretty… :-)